John Latta (politician)

John Latta (March 2, 1836 – February 15, 1913) was an American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania who served as the first lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 1875 to 1879. He also served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1872 to 1873 and the Pennsylvania Senate from 1863 to 1866.

Early life
Latta was born in Unity Township, Pennsylvania, to Moses and Eliza (Graham) Latta. He was educated at Sewickley Academy and Elder's Ridge Academy. He read law under D.H. Hazen in Pittsburgh, entered Yale Law School in 1857 and graduated in 1859. He was admitted to the Westmoreland County bar in 1859 and opened a law firm in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. In 1865, he married Emma Hope and together they had 4 children. He was a member of Christ's Church in Greensburg.

Career
He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Senate for the 22nd district 1863 to 1864 and for the 23rd district from 1865 to 1866. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1872 to 1873. Under the new Pennsylvania Constitution that went into effect on 1 January 1874, he was the first elected lieutenant governor and served under Republican Governor John Hartranft.

He died on February 15, 1913, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.